Influence of cholangiocardnoma cells on endothelial cells in a co-culture system / 中华消化外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the influence of cholangiocarcinoma cells on endothelial cells in a co-culture system. Methods A co-culture system of eholangioeareinoma cell line QBC939> and endothelial cells was established in vitro (co-culture group). Endothelial cells were cultured individually during the same time (control group). The mixed supematant of cholangiecareinoma cells and endothelial cells was in the mixed group. Light microscopy and transmission electron micrescopy were used to observe the morphology of the endothelial cells. Changes in expression of ppI25FAK, MMP-2, MMP-9 and uPA of the endothelial cells were detected by mmunofluorescence, and the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by gelatin zymography. All the data were analyzed by paired t test. Results The intercellular space between endothelial cells in co-cuhure group was wider than in the control group. The expression of pp125FAK, MMP-2, MMP-9 and uPA was 394 ±51,455±82, 377±48,422±55 in control group, and was 1096±128,931±72,815±76,801±56 in the eo-euhure group. The difference between the 2 groups had statistical significance (t = 6.53,4.32, 3.61,3.45, P < 0. 05). The values of gray-scale scanning of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the mixed group were 240.2±15.2 and 2.4±0.8, respectively. The values of gray-scale scanning of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the co-culture group were significantly increased, they were 687.4 ± 43.6 and 150.9 ± 13.2, respectively (t = 4.89, 5.43, P < 0.05). Conclusions The intercellular space between endothelial ceils and the expression of the proteolytie enzymes are increased after co-culturing endothelial cells with eholangiocarcinoma cells. Proteolytie enzymes may be involved in the process of degradation of subendothelial matrix, and promotes the metastasis of cholangiocarcinoma.